Category: Psalms

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Make Your Word Count

We recently had a situation in our neighborhood that created a danger for anyone driving our street. It was really dangerous and had the potential to cause a serious accident or even death. The company responsible for correcting it was aloof and non responsive. Their word was hollow and void of caring. After many tries at communicating the seriousness of the problem we call the sheriff’s office.

They said they would come, they did and were here in fifteen minutes. They kept their word!

Do you remember the old saying, “My word is my bond”?

People used to give value to what they say, to the words they used. Words had importance, value and meaning and now it seems it has just become so much noise or lip service.

To God, words are important.

With them He framed the world and all that is in it. “And God said, light be and there was light”. When God promised Abraham a son Abraham believed God. The Bible says that Abraham wasn’t moved by his and Sarah’s old age, they believed God’s promise.

The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, is written about the importance and power of God’s word. Jesus is referred to as the Word. What He says has value and power!

People were healed when he spoke a word; his words cursed a fig tree and caused it to die from the roots up; His Word turned the water into wine and raised the dead. Jesus told the religious elite that from the abundance or fullness of their hearts came the words they spoke. Their words would be used to justify or condemn them. He went on to say that they would be judged for every idle word that came from their mouths.

“A good man will speak good things because of the good in him. A bad man will speak bad things because of the sin in him. 36 I say to you, on the day men stand before God, they will have to give an answer for every word they have spoken that was not important. 37 For it is by your words that you will not be guilty and it is by your words that you will be guilty.” Matthew 12:35-37 NLV

The Pharisees had been plotting against Jesus and even went so far as to say that the works Jesus was doing were of the devil. They were trying to stir up the people against Jesus using their words and Jesus wanted them to know that their words would come back to judge them.

King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, wrote these words: “Your words can be as satisfying as fruit, as pleasing as the food that fills your stomach. 21 The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:20-21 ERV

We should be determined to have our words bring life. Life to us and our situations, life to our mate & children, life to our collegues, words of life, peace, health, prosperity and salvation.

“May my words and thoughts please you. LORD, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.” Psalm 19:12-14 ERV

I desire to speak words that are helpful and good!

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Trust is Progressive

As with most things, trust is not a one time experience, it’s progressive.

Any adult who has tried to coax a child or grandchild into jumping into their arms in the swimming pool knows what I’m talking about. The child stands timidly on the side, while you are tell them repeatedly, “It’s ok, I’ll catch you”, knows it takes time for them to trust.

Each time it gets easier for them…trust has been built. There’s a track record that they can count on.

Do you have a track record with the Lord? Have you trusted Him in the small things of life and found Him always faithful? If so, your trust has grown and matured and you have a confidence that He will never let you down.

Perhaps you are standing on the edge for the first time and hearing the Lord say, “Trust me, I’ll catch you”.

This morning I would like to share a few of my favorite trust verses. Write them down, screen shot them, keep them handy. You’ll rely on them again and again. I know I have.

“God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him.” II Samuel 22:31 ERV

“It is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in people.” Psalm 118:8 ERV

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge.” Proverbs 3:5 ERV

Early in our marriage we were really struggling financially. Two small children to care for, Dave was working long hours but there was barely enough to cover household expenses and even less for groceries. I remember the first time I prayed over my grocery list.

My prayer went something like this. “Lord, you know I need to feed my family. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I only have $25 . I need a miracle. I trust You.” And off I went.

I was learning to trust.

I did not deviate from my list. The first item, bread, had a 2 for 1 special. Next was eggs, this week’s price 79 cents a dozen, milk, cheese, potatoes, flour, sugar…90% of the items were on special and if I remember correctly, I spent $23.74.

“Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. 33 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 ERV

I wish I could tell you that from that day forward I always trusted the Lord but that wouldn’t be true. There have been times, more than I’d like to admit, that I have done my own thing, trusted in my own knowledge and resources and have neglected to trust the Lord. The outcome was far from stellar.

But when I returned to trusting in my Father’s provision, He was always there waiting to help.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

Trust the Lord with the small things and soon you will be trusting Him with everything! It’s progressive.

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How Long Is Forever?

When we’re children waiting for some special occasion next week can seem like forever. A long lonely highway seems to go on forever. A mother expecting her first child may feel the arrival date is taking forever. However, when we age years seem to pass so quickly. Time flies by. So, how long is forever?

To truly grasp the concept of forever will take forever.

Forever is how long the Lord says His love for us will last!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 4 Give thanks to Him Who alone does great works, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. 5 Give thanks to Him Who by wisdom made the heavens, for His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 136:1-5 NLV

His loving-kindness lasts forever!

There are another twenty-one verses in this Psalm and each of them end with His loving-kindness lasts forever. Forever!

I think I have a very good imagination but it’s mind-boggling to focus on forever. The Father will love me forever. And because of His forever love He has offered us all life with Him that will never end.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.” John 3:16 NLV

This morning I am focused on that life which lasts forever because yesterday our Mom left this temporal life on earth and stepped into her perfect heavenly life that will last forever. I am so happy for her, words cannot express it.

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 NLT

Forever in the Father’s presence, forever surrounded by His love. Joy forever!

I pray that you all have this forever life which is filled with love that lasts forever.

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One More Time

This morning I want to spend a little more time looking at the Israelites when they first left Egypt. We see the cycle of joy and desperation repeated. I’d like to think that I wouldn’t have gotten drawn in to their murmuring and complaining but I just don’t know.

We all have areas of individual weakness, ways we act and react when we’re under pressure; anger, self-pity, denial, frustration, lying, criticism, worry, doubt.

The difference between us and the Israelites is their short comings have been written in down in the world’s best seller, the Bible, for everyone to read and hopefully learn from. Mine, on the other hand, are hidden in the recesses of my heart and only seen by a very few.

So let’s look at one more time when the Israelites murmured against God. One more time when they let doubt overcome trust.

“It was the fifteenth day of the second month after they left the land of Egypt. 2 And all the people of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert, 3 saying, “We should have died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. For you have brought us out into this desert to kill all of us with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3 NLV

Quick recap of the last forty-five days: leave Egypt, see the Egyptians coming after them, COMPLAIN, cross the Red Sea on dry ground, Egyptian army destroyed, PRAISE GOD, go another few days, find bitter water, COMPLAIN, God makes the bitter sweet, PRAISE, go further and camp at an oasis, now 45 days in, COMPLAIN.

Oh my!

“The Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the complaining of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘In the evening you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” Exodus 16: 11-12 NLV

The Lord had never intended for them to starve or go without water. He always had a plan for their benefit but they failed to trust. How much better would it have been if they had come to Moses and said “We’re hungry, what’s God’s plan”? No complaining, just a simple question.

“The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us  as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Psalm 103:6-13 NLT

Our Father’s plan is to shower us with love and mercy. He chooses to forget our sins and to remove them from us, even the ones we repeat again and again.

What I want you to take away from the last few days is not how many times the Israelites failed but how many times God forgave and delivered them.

One more time – remember this:

“But the Lord has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!” Psalm 103:17 ERV

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Beating the Odds

Stand Still!

These are not the words you’re wanting to hear when in a situation like the Israelites were. They had just left Egypt during the middle of the night. They had the clothes on their backs, some provisions, their flocks and herds and the gold,silver and clothing the Egyptians had given them as they were leaving.

Moses and Aaron told them to be ready to go at a moments notice and that moment was now. The Bible tells us about 600,000 men with their families left Egypt. It was as if an entire city packed up and moved over night.

No GPS to set their route. Something better – the Lord led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Follow the pillar and you won’t go wrong. They had only been gone a little while and someone noticed that the entire Egyptian army was following them. Pharoah wasn’t giving up, he was in hot pursuit.

That’s when they began to cry and complain and that’s when Moses said “Stand Still”.

“The Egyptian army had many horse soldiers and chariots. They chased the Israelites and caught up with them while they were camped near the Red Sea at Pi Hahiroth, east of Baal Zephon. 10 When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and his army coming toward them, they were very frightened and cried to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did you bring us out here in the desert to die?… 13 But Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today. You will never see these Egyptians again. 14 You will not have to do anything but stay calm. The Lord will do the fighting for you.” Exodus 14:9-14 ERV

An army behind them and the Red Sea ahead of them – it appeared they were doomed. But when the Lord does the fighting you can beat the odds.

The Lord had promised to take them to a new land, a land flowing with milk and honey. He didn’t say He would take them out into the desert to die. God is bigger than an attacking army and He’s greater than a sea. He’s also mightier than any enemy or devastating circumstance that we may face.

He is the Lord who provides; He is the promise keeper!

The Lord placed the cloud between the Egyptian army and the Israelites, the army could proceed no further. Then the Lord gave Moses the command to hold his staff in the direction of the sea. When he did the wind blew and the waters parted leaving a path for them to follow to the other side.

“Don’t be afraid! Don’t run away! Stand where you are and watch the Lord save you today.“

I have no idea what circumstances you may be facing; physical, emotional, financial, relational, however, I do know the God who delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. He is still the same powerful Lord that He was then.

“All day long I will tell the wonderful things you do to save your people. But you have done much more than I could possibly know. 16 I will praise you, Lord God, for your mighty deeds and your power to save.” Psalm 71:15-16 CEV

Our God is trustworthy. He is mighty to save!

We can beat the odds when we place our trust in Him!

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I’m Listening

When I was in High School for my final exam in Speech Class I was given the topic of hearing or listening, how to effectively communicate.

Hearing is the collection of auditory information. Listening requires us to focus on what we hear and gain knowledge and understanding.

Listen…Stop right now and listen for 10 seconds.

If you’re anything like me you’re morning starts with the sound of the coffee pot, the hum of the computer fan and a myriad of other noises all competing for your attention. I am blessed to live in a rural area where there are no sounds of traffic, sirens, planes or other such noises. I hear the birds, the coyotes and sometimes the javelina rooting for their morning feed.

But it hasn’t always been that way. I know what it’s like to wake to the alarm clock. Have kids that need to get up, be fed and taken to school on my way to the office in the busy traffic. Radio’s playing, tv spilling the morning news, emails to read, FB to check in on – so much noise.

When you stopped to listen did you hear the voice of God? I love hearing Him speak into my heart!

When I wake up each morning I say “I love you Father, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit” and then I hear that inner voice say “We love you too”. WOW!!

“Be quiet and know that I am God. I will be honored among the nations. I will be honored in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 NLV

Folks spend much of their time looking for the big, the spectacular, the miraculous and they miss the simple, the still small voice of God as He calls to them.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that” or “It just dawned on me” or “I was just thinking about that very thing”. We often don’t realize that God is trying to get through to us.

Samuel was a young boy when his parents took him to live with Eli, the priest. He had been dedicated to God since his birth. One night while Samuel was sleeping he heard his name being called. Samuel thought it was Eli.

“…Samuel did not yet know the Lord because the Lord had not spoken directly to him before. 8 The Lord called Samuel the third time. Again Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am. You called me.” Finally, Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Eli told Samuel, “Go to bed. If he calls you again, say, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant, and I am listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 The Lord came and stood there. He called as he did before, saying, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel said, “Speak. I am your servant, and I am listening.” I Samuel 3:7-10 ERV

The most important thing we’ll hear each day, if we listen, will be the voice of the Lord.

Sssssh – just listen!

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Beauty

I want to encourage you to slow down today. Take a few moments to start the day by focusing on the beauty around you.

There’s an old saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. One of our daughters tears up each time she visits the Grand Canyon. I am captured by the uniqueness of the clouds. Dave enjoys green rolling hills and pasturelands dotted with cattle and horses.

What is it that causes you to stand still and take in the wonder?

“The heavens are telling of the greatness of God and the great open spaces above show the work of His hands.” Psalms 19:1 NLV

All that we see in nature reveals the greatness and the love of God. He never intended life to be boring or mundane, if that was His purpose creation would be nothing more than olive green and gray.

“I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I want most: Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life, enjoying the Lord’s beauty and spending time in his palace. 5 He will protect me when I am in danger. He will hide me in his tent. He will take me up to his place of safety.” Psalm 27:4-5 ERV

So often our lives become noisy and we lose our quiet solitude. Circumstances and situations keep us focused on the gray of everyday life. God intends for us to see beauty – hence the morning sunrises and spectacular sunsets. These are just two daily reminders that we are not on our own – God brings us new mercies every morning and a covering of protection each night.

All of creation tells of His goodness. How often does He tell us to consider, think about, the birds of the air and the flowers in the field. They are beautifully clothed and their needs are provided. The Scripture says if God loves them and provides for them how much more will He provide for us.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?

27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of them.” Matthew 6:25-29 CEV

So, I will ask you again. Take a look around you and see the beauty. Let that beauty be a reminder of the Father’s love and care.

Behold the beauty of the Lord!

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Protection & Sleep

How did you sleep last night?

Mine was interrupted with dreams and not all of them were pleasant. That doesn’t happen very often but when it does my first thoughts after waking are filled with prayers for the people who were in my dreams and then I pray for restored peace in my own heart.

I was a child who was plagued with nightmares. My sleep was anything but restful. In my twenties I read this verse and it became mine.

“When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 ERV

That really put an end to bad dreams. Now, when I have a dream that unsettles me I pray. As I said the primary focus of my prayer is for those who were in the dream with me. I can’t know if they are having a difficult time and are worried or afraid so I pray for them to be wrapped in peace and then I pray for my own peace to be restored.

Rest is from God. It is His way of “rest”-oring our strength for the day ahead.

I spend quite a bit of time reading Proverbs. I love the nuggets of wisdom and instruction for daily life that I find there. Chapter three is one of my favorites and the first few verses of that chapter have been my primary focus. They give instruction on trusting and following the Lord’s leading and not depending on my own knowledge and understanding.

But this morning these verses lept from the page:

“My son, don’t ever let wisdom out of your sight. Hold on to wisdom and careful planning. 22 They will bring you a long life filled with honor. 23 As you go through life, you will always be safe and never fall. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you rest, your sleep will be peaceful. 25 You have no reason to fear a sudden disaster or the destruction that comes to the wicked. 26 You can trust the Lord to protect you. He will not let you fall into harm.” Proverbs 3:21-26 ERV

Wisdom, honor, safety, sleep, no reason to fear, trust, protection! These verses are packed with expressions of the Lord’s loving-kindness.

I don’t know what situations I will face today, neither do you, but whatever may come these verses promise us the Lord’s protection.

Safety thoughout our day and peaceful sleep. Those are promises I can hold on to!

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Receive then Give

Several years back I wrote a book, “The Best Gifts of Christmas”, and the subtitle is “Receiving and Giving God’s Best”. The title came from the realization that no matter how much we might want to give, we can’t until we first receive.

Someone who has never experienced love won’t be able to give love. Someone who has never received a kindness won’t be kind. A person who has never been forgiven won’t know how to forgive. You see where I’m going with this, right?

We receive and then we can give!

“Let me hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for I trust in You. Teach me the way I should go for I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8 NLV

Each morning I spend time listening to the Lord. Each morning I thank Him for his unconditional love and kindness and each morning I ask Him to show me how to love others.

“My lips will praise You because Your loving-kindness is better than life. 4 So I will give honor to You as long as I live. I will lift up my hands in Your name.” Psalm 63:3-4 NLV

“Praise the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His acts of kindness. 3 He forgives all my sins. He heals all my diseases. 4 He saves my life from the grave. He crowns me with loving-kindness and pity. 5 He fills my years with good things and I am made young again like the eagle.” Psalm 103:2-5 NLV

The Lord wants us to know, to experience personally, His loving-kindness. When we do, we can share it with others and He will receive the glory.

“I give you a new Law. You are to love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, all men will know you are My followers.” John 13:34-35 NLV

Forgiveness is a tangible expression of loving-kindness. Love forgives, kindness embraces. One of the first expressions of God’s love we experience is forgiveness.

“You will tell His people how to be saved from the punishment of sin by being forgiven of their sins. 78 Because the heart of our God is full of loving-kindness for us, a light from heaven will shine on us.” Luke 1:77-78 NLV

I don’t spend time dwelling on my past failures and sins but I daily focus on the love and forgiveness I receive from the Father. I recognize that in His love He has chosen to forget my sins and that He nevers reminds me of them. When I stand in His presence He sees me cleansed from them all.

“I tell you, her many sins are forgiven because she loves much. But the one who has been forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:47-48 NLV

Knowing I’m forgiven, I can forgive others.

Let the Lord remind you of His loving-kindness today. Reflect on your forgiveness.

What we have received we should freely give.

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Don’t Go to the Party

There are some parties that we should never attend. Specifically, the pity party.

The guest list is disasatrous: loneliness, condemnation, self-loathing, imperfection, and low self-esteem.

If you’ve ever attended a party like that or you might be today’s guest of honor, I have Good News!

“We sinned against him, but he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved. 11 His love for his followers is as high above us as heaven is above the earth. 12 And he has taken our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 The LORD is as kind to his followers as a father is to his children. 14 He knows all about us. He knows we are made from dust. 15 He knows our lives are shor… 17 But the LORD has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever! He will be good to all their descendants, 18 to those who are faithful to his agreement and who remember to obey his commands.” Psalm 103:10-18 ERV

Don’t go to the party!

It seems we fall prey to that destructive kind of thinking at one time or another. Do you know why?

We forget what God says about us. What’s the first thing that jumps from the page when you read the verses above? For me, it’s “he didn’t give us the punishment we deserved.”

Jesus died for my sins so I don’t have too. He knew I was incapable of living a sinless life so the Father placed the responsibility for my sin on Jesus! The Father showers me with love and kindness – my sin has been blotted out. My failure has been expunged! The handwriting against me has been cancelled!!

No pity party here – send the guests back to hell, that’s where they came from!

Each day we can walk free of condemning thoughts, low self-esteem, by reminding ourselves what God has done for us through Christ Jesus.

“So I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way. 2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.” Roman 12:1-2 ERV

The more we focus on God’s love, the less we will focus on our short comings.

“But God’s free gift is not like Adam’s sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But the grace that people received from God was much greater. Many received God’s gift of life by the grace of this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 After Adam sinned once, he was judged guilty. But the gift of God is different. His free gift came after many sins, and it makes people right with him.” Romans 5:15 ERV

Tear up the invitation; don’t go to the party! Remember, “the LORD has always loved his followers, and he will continue to love them forever and ever!”

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